Mar/15/08 04:54 PM Filed in:
Bubba Franks
The Jets, determined to improve upon last season's 4-12
debacle, are continuing one of their busiest offseasons
and are close to signing three-time Pro Bowl tight end
Bubba Franks, according to two people with knowledge of
the negotiations.
Those people spoke on condition of anonymity because
talks are ongoing. An official announcement could come
as early as tomorrow, when the Jets begin their
offseason program.
On Friday, the Jets missed out on tight end Ben Utecht
(Colts), who signed an offer sheet with the Bengals.
They immediately turned their attention to Franks, who
was released by the Packers last month. He has already
visited with the Jets.
Franks, an eight-year veteran whose given name is
Daniel, has been plagued by injuries the past three
seasons but remains a solid blocker and reliable
receiver, especially in the red zone. He's viewed as a
good complement to starter Chris Baker. The Jets have
been searching for a quality backup tight end for
several seasons.
Last season, Franks, 6-6, 265 pounds, had just 18
catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns in eight
games. He missed eight games with a torn posterior
cruciate ligament in his left knee and lost his
starting job to Donald Lee. He was due a $3 million
base salary this season.
Franks, 30, was a starter for seven of his eight
seasons in Green Bay. He recorded 256 career receptions
for 2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns. His touchdown
receptions are tied for the 10th-most in Packers'
history.
A former first-round pick (14th overall out of Miami in
2000), Franks made the Pro Bowl in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Injuries, however, have slowed him in recent years. He
has missed 14 games over the past three seasons with
knee, neck and back injuries.
The Jets strongly considered drafting Franks in 2000,
when they had four first-round picks and selected tight
end Anthony Becht in the first round.
(nj.com)
Mar/15/08 03:53 PM Filed in:
Magic Benton
The Firecats' all-time leading receiver Magic Benton
was not on the training camp roster, nor was he listed
as refusing to show to camp or suspended.
(naplesnews.com)
Mar/15/08 02:51 PM Filed in:
Jason
Geathers
Wide receiver Jason Geathers rushed for two touchdowns,
helping the San Jose SaberCats beat the Arizona
Rattlers 63-43 on Saturday night for their 15th
consecutive regular-season home victory.
(iht.com)
Mar/15/08 01:53 PM Filed in:
Dan Morgan
Mar/15/08 01:50 PM Filed in:
William
Joseph
He’ll need all the help he can get out in
Oakland, where the Giants’ former first-round
pick signed yesterday . I haven’t seen the terms
of the deal, but I find it hard to believe it’s
more than one or two years or much more than the NFL
minimum.
Actually, I really do believe this: If there are
absolutely no expectations for Willie – and
really, why would there be? – he’ll be
fine. If he stays healthy, he’ll be a solid depth
player who will even make a play every six weeks or so.
But if they need him to start or be an important player
… well, let’s just say he won’t be
the Raiders’ ticket out of the bowels of the NFL.
In the meantime, I’d like to wish my Bay Area
colleagues well trying to coax a quote out of Willie
Jo. May you have better luck than we did in New York,
and may you learn something else about Mr. Mystery than
the fact that he’s “good.” (Memo to
Bay Area repoters: Try not to snicker when he says
that).
There is some poetic symmetry, by the way, with Willie
Jo landing with the Raiders, one of the least
media-friendly organizations in the league. He should
be right at home.
(dailynews.com)
Mar/15/08 01:47 PM Filed in:
Alex Cora
Different players have different values to a team. The
value of Alex Cora has been an immense. You'll never
see his name among the league leaders in the stat
categories. But, Red Sox fans know you need a guy like
him to get through a 162 game season.
Cora begins his 4th season with the Red Sox. He's
one of those guys who might go unnoticed in most
cities, but not in Boston. Not is a city as baseball
crazy as Boston.Cora thrives in that intensity.
" I love it. I think if you're going to do what I
do it is the perfect place to do it. I would love to
play every day in Boston because I know they can
appreciate more of my game but the days I play out
there they give you a standing ovation for a ground
ball to second with a man on second. So, they
understand the game and expect that out of you and it's
a great place for me. "
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Mar/15/08 01:46 PM Filed in:
Brian Barton
WINTER HAVEN, FLA. -- Unless the Indians can be
persuaded to do otherwise, they want outfielder Brian
Barton and first baseman Matt Whitney back at the end
of spring training. St. Louis selected Barton and
Washington took Whitney in December at the Rule 5
Draft.
Barton is having an excellent camp with the Cardinals.
He's hitting .389 (12-for-34) with one double, two
triples, two homers and six RBI.
Whitney is hitting .211 (3-for-17) with one double, one
triple, one homer and six RBI for the Nationals.
A team that drafts a Rule 5 player must keep him on its
big-league roster all year. If they don't, they must
offer him back to his original club. In return, the
Indians would have to give back half the $50,000 they
received as compensation for each player.
If St. Louis and Washington want to keep Barton and
Whitney, they can try to offer the Indians another
player in place of them.
(blog.cleveland.com)
Mar/14/08 08:05 AM Filed in:
Warrren Sapp
Warren Sapp's world was different. He came out of the
University of Miami as an All-American, winner of the
Lombardi Award, Nagurski Award, practically every award
that had someone over 220 pounds attached to it. He was
going to be right up there at the tippy top of the
draft, but there was one little problem. Marijuana
stories, what the scouts call "baggage attached." I
remember talking to the Jets' coach, Rich Kotite, who
said before the draft, "I've gotta have him."
"You won't have the guts to pick him," I said.
"Bet you a cigar on it," Kotite said.
The Jets took tight end Kyle Brady with the ninth pick.
Sapp went to Tampa Bay at No .12. I'm still waiting to
collect my cigar.
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Mar/14/08 08:05 AM Filed in:
Chris Myers
Chris Myers could be forcing the Broncos to make a
difficult decision.
A Broncos starter at left guard and center last season,
Myers is a restricted free agent who Thursday visited
with the Houston Texans.
No offer sheet was presented and Myers was scheduled to
return home today. But the fact Myers has already
started making visits nearly five weeks before the
restricted free agency period passes indicates he will
draw considerable interest.
"I'm going to keep my options open," Myers said. "If a
team makes an offer, I'll look at it. If not, I don't
want to leave Denver, anyway. I started my career there
and I love it there. It's a win-win."
Should the Texans present an offer sheet to Myers, the
Broncos would have a week to match the contract terms.
At first glance, the Broncos would figure to match an
offer to Myers because they would only get the Texans'
sixth-round draft pick in return.
However, if Houston offers a "starter" contract to
Myers, the Broncos may balk at paying big dollars to a
player who may not beat out left guard Ben Hamilton or
center Tom Nalen, who are expected to be back healthy
next season.
(denverpost.com)
Mar/14/08 08:04 AM Filed in:
Bryant
McKinnie
Mar/14/08 08:00 AM Filed in:
Ryan Braun
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Ryan Braun's right Achilles tendon
kept him from joining his teammates on the two-hour bus
trip from Phoenix to Tucson Electric Park.
Manager Ned Yost decided to make Thursday a day off for
Braun, who had been scheduled to have Friday off.
"He won't get Friday off now," Yost said. "He had a
little stiffness in his Achilles and we banged him
[Wednesday]. He feels better today; he feels a lot
better today. He'll be ready to go tomorrow."
But the 24-year-old Braun, NL Rookie of the Year last
season, will be at the ballpark on Thursday, though he
won't be sitting on the bench with his Brewers
teammates.
He has a photo shoot scheduled with Sports Illustrated,
and he's supposed to be one of the rising stars
featured on the cover of the magazine's baseball
preview.
"He said he had a cover shot," Yost said. "That's why
he's coming up here -- to do it."
Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton and Rockies
shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will also be in the photo
shot with Braun. Both play with clubs that train in
Tucson.
(mlb.com)
Mar/14/08 07:58 AM Filed in:
Brian Barton
JUPITER, Fla. -- At one point last fall, it appeared
that Brian Barton would be the first player selected in
the Rule 5 Draft in Nashville, Tenn., at the Winter
Meetings in December. But offseason knee surgery
dropped Barton's stock, and the one-time Cleveland
Indians prospect wound up going to St. Louis with the
10th pick.
"I was excited about the opportunity," Barton recalled,
"because it was going from a situation not knowing
whether I would have an opportunity to be in the big
leagues to being put into a situation where it's up to
me. Well, not necessarily up to me, but if I do pretty
well, at least I know I have a good shot, and that's
very exciting to me."
His knee apparently fine, Barton's career track is back
in step. He is having a good spring, perhaps good
enough to convince the Cardinals to keep him on the
Major League roster.
Click here to continue
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Mar/13/08 08:16 AM Filed in:
Chris Myers
The Texans could be adding a veteran running back and a
center at a time when they lost a second outside
linebacker.
Denver center Chris Myers, a restricted free agent, is
visiting the Texans today. Tennessee running back Chris
Brown, an unrestricted free agent, came to Houston on
Wednesday and tours Reliant Stadium today.
The Texans are interested in Myers, who started 16
games for the Broncos last season, because they need a
younger, healthy center. They're interested in Brown,
who played five seasons for the Titans, because they
want to add another veteran back who fits the running
game new assistant head coach Alex Gibbs is putting in.
If the Texans sign Myers, the Broncos will have a week
to match the offer sheet because he's a third-year
restricted free agent. If the Broncos don't match, they
will receive the Texans' sixth-round pick in next
month's draft.
Myers, 26, is 6-5, 295. Because Steve McKinney is 32
and coming off major knee surgery, and Mike Flanagan
was released last month, the Texans have been looking
for another center.
"We've known Chris since he was in college," Texans
coach Gary Kubiak said. "We think he fits in with what
we're doing."
(chron.com)
Mar/13/08 08:15 AM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
Dolphins tackle Vernon Carey, ex-Dolphins fullback Rob
Konrad and Marlins president David Samson were the
big-name winning bidders in the annual Make-A-Wish
Ultimate Sports Auction on Tuesday night at the Broward
County Convention Center.
Championship at Doral.
Konrad bid $2,000 for unique access to FIU's first game
in its new football stadium, Sept. 20 vs. South
Florida, including standing on the sideline with
headsets. Coach Mario Cristobal announced the winning
bidder would get to call FIU's first play, but FIU said
Wednesday that won't happen.
Samson bid $4,000 for a package that was supposed to
include participating in an Ironman Triathlon workout
with former Marlin Jeff Conine (who's training for this
year's race) and Samson (who participated in last
year's).
The annual event no longer is attended by all the
coaches for the local teams, but still drew several
prominent athletes, including Dolphins quarterback John
Beck, ex-Olympian Bob Beamon and former Canes receiver
Sinorice Moss.
The event raised $240,000 to grant wishes to children
with life-threatening medical conditions. About 600
people attended the event, which was emceed by NBC and
HBO sportscaster Bob Costas.
(miamiherald.com)
Mar/12/08 06:07 PM Filed in:
Jonathan
Vilma
Maybe playing in a city where voodoo is part of the
culture is exactly what Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan
need.
Maybe playing in New Orleans will help reverse the
curse that's hung around Vilma the past two seasons and
around Morgan for just about his entire career. If that
happens, the Saints suddenly could have one of the most
talented linebacker corps in the NFL.
But it's a giant leap to say that will ever happen,
because the histories of Morgan and Vilma make them two
of the biggest gambles this offseason. With these two,
it's either boom or bust, and their pasts suggest the
latter is more probable.
The Saints don't care, because they haven't had a truly
great linebacker since Sam Mills in the mid-1990s, and
their defense was a big reason they missed the playoffs
last season. The moves come one offseason after the
Saints thought they had patched up their defense by
bringing in Jason David, Dhani Jones, Brian Simmons and
Kevin Kaesviharn. Those moves didn't all work, and
other problems were exposed as the Saints finished 7-9.
Click here to continue
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Mar/12/08 06:05 PM Filed in:
Kenny
Phillips
The New York Daily News hears that the Giants have
shown "a lot of early interest" in Miami (FL) S Kenny
Phillips. The Giants have the No. 31 overall pick in
April. That's right around where Phillips projects to
go. Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes his safeties to
be hitters, and Phillips played both safety spots
during his college career.
(rotoworld.com)
Mar/12/08 06:04 PM Filed in:
Jeremy
Shockey
With the Giants staying pretty quiet with free agents,
the talk around the team has focused more on who has
departed so far — and who may be next. This
isn’t uncommon for a team coming off a Super Bowl
win, but so far, the Giants have kept most of their
nucleus intact. The key G-Men are under contract and
returning to defend their title next season, with
notable exceptions Gibril Wilson (now with the Raiders)
and Kawika Mitchell (with the Bills).
But one player a lot of fans around the league are
wondering about is Jeremy Shockey.
An unquestionable talent with a fiery personality, his
future with the Giants isn’t set in stone, and
there have been reports of teams expressing interest in
trading for him. The Giants showed they could do it
without him last year, going on their storied run after
Shockey was placed on the IR with a broken fibula on
Dec. 17. There were even some juicy rumors that Eli
Manning was happy with Shockey’s Super Bowl
absence, although we’re (unfortunately) not aware
of there being any truth to them.
Click here to continue...
Mar/12/08 06:03 PM Filed in:
Sean Taylor
MIAMI - The alleged shooter in the murder of Washington
Redskins star Sean Taylor told police he and the other
suspects burned their clothes in an attempt to cover up
the crime.
The statement by 17-year-old Eric Rivera Jr. and those
by two other suspects were released Wednesday by state
prosecutors at the request of The Associated Press and
other news outlets. All three statements are heavily
redacted on a judge's orders, and do not contain
outright confessions to the crime.
But there are hints throughout of what happened and
what led up to the Nov. 26 shooting, which authorities
say took place in a botched robbery attempt at Taylor's
Miami home. Taylor, an All-Pro safety for the Redskins,
died the next day from heavy blood loss.
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Mar/12/08 06:03 PM Filed in:
Michael Irvin
WACO -- Michael Irvin's first trip into the Texas
Sports Hall of Fame might be forgettable because he
looked and felt like a man kissed with the flu, but
unforgettable because of the reminder it served.
When Irvin was escorted into the Tom Landry Theater on
Tuesday he had to stop and take a bit longer to look at
the exhibits on the iconic late Cowboys coach.
It's often overlooked that in 1988 Irvin was Landry's
last first-round pick. Landry was fired after that
season by new owner Jerry Jones.
It is often mistakenly assumed that Irvin was drafted
by his college coach, Jimmy Johnson. But without Landry
pushing to draft the star receiver from Miami, Irvin
might never have ended up with the Cowboys.
"To walk in and see all of the other guys that are in
the Hall of Fame, I stood and looked at Landry
[exhibit]," Irvin said. "I wouldn't be here had he not
pulled the trigger. It's definitely an honor."
Known for his gift with words, Irvin was not his
normal, entertaining self Tuesday. He was sick, and he
sounded and looked every bit the part of an ill man.
"I'm not my usual self," he said. "I wouldn't have
missed it no matter how poorly I feel. I was going to
make it."
Irvin was part of an eight-member class that was
inducted in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 at
Baylor's Ferrell Center.
(thescoreboards.com)
Mar/12/08 06:01 PM Filed in:
Ed Reed
Get
Ravens safety Ed Reed's autograph at the Hilton Garden
Inn from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Owings Mills.
Visit
www.fullaccess20.com.
Mar/12/08 06:00 PM Filed in:
Danny Graves
CLEVELAND -- First, Danny Graves' hair was cut. Then,
Graves himself was cut.
The Indians designated the veteran Graves for
assignment after Friday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers,
giving them 10 days to trade or release him. To replace
Graves on the active roster and in the bullpen, the
club has called up right-hander Fausto Carmona.
Graves, who was making $575,000 this year, had become
the poster boy for the 'pen's struggles. He owned a 2-1
record and 5.79 ERA in 13 appearances this year and
never really settled in, whether used in long relief,
mopup duty or tight situations.
"Danny had showed signs," Wedge said. "But it was more
about his inconsistency. He has a huge heart and a lot
of guts. He's a great competitor. But ultimately, we
felt we needed to make a move to helps us solidify
things in our 'pen."
The 32-year-old Graves showed up to Jacobs Field on
Friday with three inches of his hair cut off. He was
hoping the new 'do could inspire some improvement in
his performance, but he was told of the decision
shortly thereafter.
Graves was not available for comment after the game.
(mlb.com)
Mar/12/08 07:41 AM Filed in:
Kevin Everett
BALTIMORE, March 11 -- The black tuxedo was handsomely
tailored, and the burgundy vest was a nice touch. The
black shoes were polished perfectly, and the sunlight
streaming in from a nearby window shone brightly off
the diamonds in the watch on his left wrist.
But none of that stood out about Kevin Everett on this
evening.
It was the walk.
It has been six months since Everett, as a reserve
tight end for the Buffalo Bills playing on the kickoff
coverage unit, suffered a severe spinal cord injury
while making a tackle during a game against the Denver
Broncos on the opening weekend of the NFL season. His
doctors said publicly in the days that followed that he
had nearly died and was unlikely to walk again. But
Everett wasn't listening. And as he made the rounds
early Tuesday night at the Ed Block Courage Awards,
what was most noticeable was how normal he looked while
walking. His strides were made confidently, and there
was no hint of unsteadiness or a limp.
Click here to continue
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Mar/12/08 07:41 AM Filed in:
Darius Rice
If there is one thing Darius Rice can do best on the
basketball court, it’s putting the ball inside
the hoop. The 6′10″ 222-lb Rice is known as
a dangerous offensive player with a knack for hitting
shots from way beyond the three-point arc.
In the championship game in the NBDL last year, Rice
put on one of the best, if not the best, scoring
performances in league history. He exploded for 52 big
points, highlighted by 11 triples - including one that
sent the game into overtime with four seconds left. The
Dakota Wizards went on to win the title after
dominating the overtime period. Rice copped the finals
MVP trophy.
It’s the kind of performance the Purefoods TJ
Giants hope to see when Rice puts on the team jersey in
the 2008 PBA Fiesta Cup. The team is in the midst of
finalizing contract details with the ex-Miami Hurricane
standout and if the negotiations pull through, the
Giants will have in their hands, a certified scorer who
can shoot the lights out in any given day. It will not
be surprising if Rice goes on to average 60 points a
game because that’s what he do best. With James
Yap, Peter June Simon, and Rice, Purefoods will have
the best perimeter weapons in town.
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Mar/12/08 07:41 AM Filed in:
Devin Hester
Tickets to the Devin Hester autograph-signing session
at Sports Fanatic Store in Spring Hill Mall are almost
sold out. The Chicago Bears' kick-return specialist
will sign merchandise at 5 p.m. April 2. Tickets are
$100 per autograph, payable by cash only, and are
available from the Sports Fanatic Store. A personal
message can be added to the autograph for $25. In
addition, a special raffle will be held for three
separate Hester autographed items. Each raffle ticket
is $5 and all proceeds will benefit the St. Jude's
Children's Research Hospital.
(dailyherald.com)
Mar/11/08 08:08 AM Filed in:
Michael Irvin
The Texas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Committee
chaired by Dave Campbell announced its 2007 class of
inductees who will be inducted during the special
enshrinement ceremonies on Tuesday, March 11 in Waco.
The class includes Dallas Stars Center Mike Modano,
former Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Michael Irvin,
former U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team forward
Mia Hamm, former Baylor and Cleveland Browns Offensive
Lineman Jim Ray, former Texas A&M and Houston Oiler
Defensive Tackle Ray Childress, former Texas Tech
Football Coach Spike Dykes, former North Texas State
and Dallas Texans Running Back Abner Haynes and
Granbury Girls Basketball Coach Leta Andrews.
(pegasusnews.com)
Mar/11/08 08:06 AM Filed in:
Charlton
Jimmerson
TUCSON, Ariz. — This competition in Mariners camp
for a backup roster spot? Charlton Jimerson is just
glad his name is being mentioned with the others
— Mike Morse, Greg Norton, Jeremy Reed and
Wladimir Balentien, primarily.
Jimerson, 28, is probably a longshot. He's out of
minor-league options, so if he doesn't make the
major-league roster with Seattle he will go to the
waiver wire, where another team can sign him.
Click here to continue
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Mar/11/08 03:07 AM Filed in:
Brock Berlin
Six months before the season is set to start, St. Louis
Rams backup quarterback Brock Berlin is the odds-on
favorite for most likely third-stringer to see action.
Berlin sat behind Marc Bulger and Gus Frerotte in 2007.
He played in one game last season. But the Rams Monday
inexplicably not only signed Trent Green to become the
fragile Bulger’s primary backup. They also
reportedly gave the concussed one $8.9 million for
three years – including a $2.1 million signing
bonus.
Frerotte, who once sprained his neck head butting a
brick wall, shows admirable durability compared with
this duo. Bulger, when healthy, is a top eight NFL
quarterback, at worst. But he has missed 12 games in
three seasons and Green, with two horrendous looking
concussions that left his career temporarily in doubt,
has played just 13 games the last two years.
So if I were Berlin I’d make sure I know the
playbook.
(zoneblitz.com)
Mar/11/08 03:06 AM Filed in:
Kevin Everett
Fans will get a chance to meet miracle man Kevin
Everett of the Buffalo Bills at signings in Beaumont
and Houston for his book Standing Tall: The Kevin
Everett Story.
The tight end, who overcame tremendous odds to walk
again after suffering a neck injury in the Bills' first
regular-season game of 2007 left him a quadriplegic,
will appear at 2 p.m. March 22 at the Barnes &
Noble at 4155 Dowlen Road in Beaumont.
At 2 p.m. on April 5, he will be signing his book at
the Barnes & Noble at 12850 Memorial Dr., Suite
1600 in Houston.
(chron.com)
Mar/11/08 03:04 AM Filed in:
Ryan Braun
PHOENIX -- Manager Ned Yost likes the idea of
left-fielder Ryan Braun batting cleanup behind Prince
Fielder.
"They're gonna pitch around Prince, just because of
Prince's intimidation factor," said Yost, who sat Braun
for the Cactus League game Monday against the Cubs.
With Fielder on base, Braun will have more
opportunities to knock in runs, something that he
proved capable of doing in bunches [97 RBIs in 113
games] as a rookie last season.
"They're not gonna pitch around Prince too long with me
behind him," said Braun without even a hint of
cockiness. "Obviously, we have a lot of great hitters
in the lineup.
"Whether I'm third or fourth, there should be plenty of
protection. It doesn't make much of a difference to
me."
But the key to Braun handling the duties of the No. 4
hitter is selectivity. He can't come to the plate
hacking at just anything, Yost said.
"If he's not, then I've gotta change the order," Yost
said. "Then I have to put him in front of Prince. ...
If Braunie stays in his game, Corey Hart's gonna have a
helluva year. Or Billy Hall. Or so will both Prince and
Ryan."
Braun didn't disagree.
"Our lineup is dangerous all the way throughout," said
the 24-year-old Braun, who spent most of last season in
the No. 3 hole. "So I don't think they'll have too much
of any opportunity to pitch around anybody."
(mlb.com)
Mar/10/08 06:09 PM Filed in:
Sean Taylor
MIAMI (AP) — A rented sports utility vehicle is
apparently involved in the November shooting of
Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor at his Miami home.
Court documents released Monday say the mother of a
teenage girl rented a black Toyota Highlander, thinking
the girl and a friend planned to attend a football game
in Orlando. The mother told prosecutors she didn't know
the girls would allow young men they knew to use the
vehicle.
Her daughter, identified as R.L. in the documents, said
Charles Wardlow and Eric Rivera drove the vehicle. It
was later left at a Fort Myers school parking lot.
Wardlow, Rivera and two other men are charged with
fatally shooting Taylor.
(ap.com)
Mar/10/08 06:08 PM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
Carey would benefit from a move back to right tackle,
where he's a potential Pro Bowler, but that doesn't
mean he didn't do well at left tackle last season.
Truth is, Big Vern held his own, and only on occasion
had issues with pass rushers and blitzes. Unless the
Dolphins sign a grizzled veteran left tackle who has
been there and done that for a number of season expect
Carey to remain at left tackle for at least one more
season. This is the last year of his contract and left
tackles get paid a lot more than right ones do. If the
trifecta like what they see expect them to lock Carey
up to a longterm deal, but he might be auditioning for
his next team. Either way I expect a big year from
Vern.
(sun-sentinel.com)
Mar/10/08 08:02 AM Filed in:
William
Joseph
Although the Dolphins have already added two defensive
tackles since the start of free agency last week, they
met with former Giants defensive tackle William Joseph
Friday.
Joseph, a 6-foot-5, 308 pounder, was the 25th draft
pick in 2003 after a solid career with the University
of Miami. Joseph, 28, missed the Giants' entire Super
Bowl championship run last season with a back injury,
and was released on Feb. 29.
Joseph has played in 55 games with 17 starts. He has 72
tackles and seven sacks.
The Dolphins acquired veteran defensive tackle Jason
Ferguson in a trade with Dallas last week, and on the
same day signed free-agent defensive tackle Randy
Starks, who at 24 is nine years younger than Ferguson.
No offer was extended to Joseph, who is also talking to
the Browns, another team that uses the 3-4 scheme.
Joseph began his career at UM as a rush end before
moving inside.
(sun-sentinel.com)
Mar/09/08 07:10 PM Filed in:
DJ Williams
In 2004 an interesting OLB prospect came into the draft
as a senior out of Linebacker U. He was fast (4.48
40yd, faster than most WR), freakishly agile (11.4 in
the 60yd shuttle, beating the benchmarks set for
coverage safeties) and unbelievably explosive (38"
vertical, higher than was expected out of CBs and WRs).
DJ Williams entered the draft with teammate Jonathon
Vilma as the top linebacking prospects, hands down.
Part of what set DJ apart was tremendous lower body
strength, which gave him exceptional balance,
heightened his agility and made him a powerful hitter.
He was regarded as "instinctive in the gap", and a
natural at reading his zone. In fact it was rare to
find a dissenting opinion on his future greatness and
potential. John Madden, who spoke at Williams High
Scool team banquet remarked, "DJ is the only player I
have ever seen who could go straight from highschool to
the pro level." There was only one unanswered question
in the minds of many scouts who watched DJ: "You will
not see sixty minutes from him in any one game where he
absolutely dominated," one NFL scouting director said.
"But you see that he is still learning and progressing.
You like to see that. I just wonder if he’ll ever
be able to play up to his best all the time."
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Mar/09/08 07:08 PM Filed in:
Marcus Maxey
The Chicago Bears have claimed defensive Marcus Maxey
off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. Maxey had
first been drafted by the Chiefs last year. He did not
play in the first two games of this season and was then
waived.